NORTH MANCHESTER -- Emma West has been playing softball for as long as she can remember.

The Squire senior will continue to make memories on the diamond for the next four years, signing with Taylor University in Upland to play softball.

"I chose Taylor because of the team and the atmosphere," West said. "I love the campus and everything about the School. I like that it's a small school and campus."

West said she began looking at colleges as early as her freshman year of high school, including schools at the Division I level all the way to Division III. She chose an NAIA school, and is looking forward to continuing softball at Taylor.

NORTH MANCHESTER -- After a close first half, the Wabash boys basketball team turned a 30-24 lead into a 16-point Three Rivers Conference win over Manchester Friday, Jan. 11.

The Apaches starting five scored all of Wabash's second half points, including shooting 16-20 free throws, to run away with the 67-51 win.

“I thought it was a great team win, especially with Logan (Vander Velden) getting into (foul) trouble,” Wabash coach Paul Wright said. “Jared (Holley), Kallen (Kelsheimer) and Blake (Gribben) all came in and tried to make up for Logan.”

Northfield senior Ariel Dale (front, center) prepares to sign her letter of intent to continue her education and basketball career at Taylor University. Also looking on are parets Brad (front, left), and Marlea Dale, Taylor assistant coach Natalie Young (back, left), Northfield head coach Melissa Allen, and Taylor head coach Jody Martinez. Photo by Josh Sigler

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

Northfield senior Ariel Dale Friday signed a letter of intent to continue her basketball career and education at Taylor University in front of family, teammates and coaches in the Northfield library.

The decision on where to go to college can be a nerve-wracking one for most, but for Dale, the choice was easy.

“Personally, I wanted to go to a Christian school, and Taylor was just all-around a good fit for me,” Dale said. “I love the coaches and their style of basketball. I knew I wanted to study elementary education, so I just saw it as a good fit for me.”

Southwood's Jackson Siimons looks to put up a shot around the defense of Wabash's Jasper Walter during Friday night's basketball action. The Apaches won 87-58 to improve to 8-1 on the season. Photo by Josh Sigler

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

Led by five players who scored at least eight points, Wabash’s boys basketball team picked up a convincing 87-58 win over host Southwood Friday night, Jan. 4.

The Apaches (8-1) built a 26-13 lead by the end of the first quarter, an took a 46-31 lead into the half. Wabash outscored the Knights 41-27 in the second half.

Dereck Vogel led the Apaches with 21 points, eight rebounds, three steals and three assists. He hit 5-of-10 from 3-point range.
Trenton Daughtry added 19 points, five steals and six assists, and Logan Vander Velden added 15 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.